Robin Williams' Son Opens Up About The Actor's Suicide

Robin Williams, who rose to fame thanks to his role as the alien Mork in the TV show "Mork & Mindy" (1978–1982) and his stand-up comedy, tragically passed away on August 11, 2014, from suicide.

Despite his professional success, Robin struggled with personal challenges, including addiction and mental health issues, as well as complications from Lewy body dementia, a progressive neurological disease.

On what would have been Robin Williams' 73rd birthday, his son Zak Williams is honoring his late father and highlighting the importance of mental health awareness within the entertainment industry.

In a new interview with Brandon Saho, Robin Williams' son, Zak Williams, 41, opened up about his father's death, mental health struggles, and the entertainment industry. "Well, I think, relative to his struggle, it was very much the struggle of a lot of comics and entertainers," he said. "This is what many, many folks in the entertainment industry deal with and can't talk about."

"So, yes, he experienced depression [and] anxiety over the course of his life, trauma, and things like that," he added. "But you know, he had effective ways to manage it, and he got a lot of joy and healing from going out, entertaining audiences, being immersed in environments where there's lots of folks who want to engage with what he has to say."

"In terms of his mental health, again, you know, he had effective ways of managing it, and when I learned more and more about the challenges that entertainers deal with, they have to put a smile on," Zak revealed.

Zak also posted a black-and-white throwback photo of his father on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

“Dad, on what would be your 73rd birthday,” he wrote in the post. “I remember you for all the hope and joy you brought to the world.”

He continued, “There's not a week that goes by without someone sharing with me how you helped them through a dark time or a rough patch. I'm so grateful to be your son. Love you forever.”

Ever since his father passed away, the now 41-year-old has been active in mental health advocacy and has co-founded the mental health organization "Inseparable."

"Inseparable" aims to reduce stigma, increase access to mental health resources, and advocate for policy changes. The organization focuses on supporting individuals and families affected by mental health challenges, and it provides resources and community support to help improve mental well-being.

"The coronavirus pandemic has brought light to a parallel pandemic that's happening," Zak told People Magazine during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. "We are experiencing from it as a direct result of the pandemic... a shared trauma that's becoming quite acute as a result of everything that people have been through both in terms of the devastating economic effects, the isolation and a lot of circumstances from communities."

"Instead of becoming more isolated, finding resentment, getting angry about it, we need to actually find solutions and opportunities to band together to find the resources and apply them to actual meaningful change on a system's level," he added. "That's what I think is so important at this time."

Zak has found his own path to mental wellness by "prioritizing self-care before being there for others."

"I stay away from drugs and alcohol, I commit to support groups," he told People Magazine. "One thing I found very healing for me through my experience has been service and commitment to service work specifically around mental health and mental health support organizations. Eating well, committing to a healthy lifestyle. Things that I need in my weekly and daily regimen to better support my wellbeing."

If you or someone you know needs mental health support, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741.